Summary

Howards End opens with three letters that Helen Schlegel writes to her older sister Margaret, whom she fondly calls Meg. Helen is visiting the Wilcox family, whom the sisters met while traveling in Germany, at their country estate, Howards End. Helen describes the place as being different than what she and her sister had expected. It is an old brick country house surrounded by a garden, meadow, and a large wych-elm. Helen expresses regret that Margaret was unable to join her at Howards End, for she had to stay behind in London to care for their younger brother, Tibby, who is sick with hay fever.

The letters reveal that Helen is having a wonderful time. She describes how Mrs. Wilcox trails around the garden in her long dress while the rest of the family plays croquet. She is enchanted by the family, and things that she would normally find fault with, such as Mr. Wilcox correcting her on the issue of women's suffrage, she does not at all mind. Helen's visit culminates in her announcement to her sister that after knowing each other for just four days, she and Paul Wilcox, the middle child, are in love.

Back at the Schlegel home in Wickham Place, Margaret and Tibby are being kept company by Aunt Juley Munt, who is their deceased mother's sister. When Margaret and Aunt Juley discuss Helen's latest letter announcing her love affair, Margaret explains that she has never even met Paul, thus she cannot offer information. She maintains, however, that if her sister is truly in love, her feelings are all that matters, regardless of the object of her affection. She resolves to go to Howards End to see her sister, yet Aunt Juley insists that it would be better if someone older, like herself, to go. Margaret firmly but politely objects, yet after checking on Tibby to find his health unimproved, she decides that it would be better for Aunt Juley to go after all.

Giving Aunt Juley instructions not to mention the engagement to anybody but Helen, Margaret accompanies her to the King's Cross railroad station, a place the narrator notes, Margaret sees as suggesting "infinity." Just after having seen her aunt off, she returns to Wickham Place to find a telegram from Helen. The short message reveals that the romance with Paul is already over and instructs Margaret to keep the situation a secret. However, Aunt Juley is already on her way.

On the train, Aunt Juley relishes the opportunity to come to the aid of her nieces. With both of their parents deceased, she sees it as her responsibility to keep them out of trouble. If anything, she wishes that she had a greater role in their lives. Upon arriving at her destination, the train station at Hilton, she asks a ticket boy where she can find Howards End. Coincidentally, a member of the Wilcox clan is at the station at that very moment picking up a parcel. Upon meeting him, Aunt Juley inquires as to whether he is the elder or the younger Mr. Wilcox, to which he replies that he is the younger.

Assuming that he is Paul Wilcox, Aunt Juley accepts a ride with him so that they may talk things over. While she remembers Margaret's instructions to keep quiet about the situation, she decides that it would be all right to discuss the situation with Paul himself. She begins to hint at the matter of the romance, and it quickly becomes apparent that her companion is not Paul, but his older brother Charles Wilcox.

With the secret of the romance between Helen and Paul thereby revealed, Charles expresses his outrage at his brother's foolishness, causing Aunt Juley to become outraged at his arrogance. They spend the rest of the drive in a heated argument, finally pulling up to Howards End to find Helen rushing out to her aunt to tell her that it is all over. Charles is annoyed at the entire situation, thinking that his brother, who is about to move to Africa to pursue his fortune, should know better. In the midst of all the chaos, Mrs. Wilcox calmly emerges from the garden to say that the engagement has ended and the entire matter is done with.

And so, the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes go their separate ways. Once reunited with Margaret, Helen describes everything that happened. The romance was impulsive and brief, and ended as soon as it began. Helen was so bewitched by Howards End and the Wilcox family that she thought she loved Paul, yet the next morning, reality set in for both of them. She recalls how Paul looked terrified and so she did him a favor by telling him that the previous night had been nonsense. The only consolation, Helen maintains, was that Mrs. Wilcox miraculously knew of the whole situation and managed to make it slightly less terrible to endure.

Analysis

E.M. Forster's epigraph for Howards End is: "Only connect...". Thus, the opening chapters of the book serve to establish differences that must somehow eventually be reconciled. The most obvious difference is between the two families that are introduced. On the one hand, there are the Schlegels, who are romantic, idealistic, and curious. They allow themselves to get caught up in the moment, and often act on impulse. On the other hand, the Wilcoxes are highly practical. They are more concerned with what makes the most sense rather than what makes one happiest. By presenting the brief love affair between Helen and Paul, the gap between these two families and their approaches to life is immediately revealed. For them to find some common ground is a central mission of the novel, and different characters will play roles in this struggle.

The relationship between the Schlegel sisters is extremely strong. Their English mother died when they were relatively young, and their German father died several years later. The young ladies are independent and capable, but Aunt Juley worries about their ability to sustain respectable lives. As the sister of their English mother, Aunt Juley sees the girls as more English than German, and she brings this up several times. The Schlegel sisters respect both sides of their background, however, for the family political debates of their younger years contributed greatly to their intellectual development.

In addition to being intellectual, the Schlegel sisters have keen emotional senses, for they value personal relationships above all things. For example, Margaret is happy for her sister upon hearing that she is in love. She considers her sister's satisfaction far more important than anything else. Meanwhile, Charles is horrified at his brother's stupidity at becoming emotionally involved, and considers the entire love affair ridiculous. For Charles, Paul's feelings are irrelevant, as he must soon depart to Nigeria.

The first chapters present a failed opportunity for connection. Spending time with the Wilcoxes forces Helen to question her own ideals. At first, she does so good-naturedly when hearing Mr. Wilcox's opinions on women's suffrage, but it is much more difficult for her when it comes to love. She is ready to give in to her emotions, but Paul realizes the importance of being sensible. He would rather be respected by his father and brother than be loved by a young woman. Helen is used to an environment where romance and personal relations conquer all, but at the Wilcox home meets a rude awakening. She has her sister's wholehearted support, but the outside world presents more of a challenge.

The exception to the highly practical Wilcox family is Mrs. Wilcox. While the rest of the family is firm and stubborn, she is relaxed and kind, and seems to feel herself a kindred spirit to the Schlegel girls. At Howards End, she spends much of her time in the garden, wearing a long dress that drags behind her. This is a highly romantic image as well as an expression of her refusal to conform to practicality. Even in the midst of the crisis between Helen, Paul, Charles, and Aunt Juley, Mrs. Wilcox effectively diffuses the situation, but still finds time to stop and admire a rose.

The political tensions present in the novel cannot be ignored, for they occur throughout. The backgrounds of Margaret and Helen are relevant not only in terms of their perspectives on life, but in terms of the disconnect between them and the Wilcoxes. In the time that Forster was composing this work, the political conflict between England and Germany that erupted in World War I was steadily brewing. The Schlegels German heritage might be held against them in British society, especially by the Wilcoxes who are extremely English. Yet, the Schlegels also have British blood, which helps them develop a wider perspective, both on the world and in terms of differences between individuals. This is a trait that appears repeatedly in the novel, especially concerning Margaret.

Summary

With the Wilcox incident behind them, Margaret and Helen Schlegel move on with their lives. They attend a concert at Queens Hall with Tibby, Aunt Juley, their German cousin Frieda Mosebach, and their cousin's suitor, Herr Liesecke. Throughout the performance, Margaret chats with a young man, Tibby follows the music with a score, and Helen envisions goblins battling over Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Helen is so moved by both the music and her imagination that she suddenly gets up and leaves, which, according to her siblings, is nothing out of the ordinary. As she departs, she absentmindedly takes with her an umbrella that in fact does not belong to her.

The young man that Margaret has been chatting with is Leonard Bast. He soon discovers that Helen as taken his umbrella. Because it is too late to go after her, Margaret requests his address so that she may later return his umbrella to him. Slightly suspicious and awkward by nature, Leonard declines. After the concert, Margaret invites him to Wickham Place to fetch his umbrella. She finds him interesting and intends to serve him tea. As they walk, she discusses the arts, causing Leonard to envy her life of culture and privilege. He is uneasy throughout their conversation, for he feels that he is unable to contribute. He longs to be part of such an intellectual world.

When they arrive at the Schlegel residence, Margaret informs Helen of her mistake. Embarrassed and apologetic, Helen begins to search the house for the umbrella in question. Upon finding one, she announces that it is so tattered that it could not possible belong to Leonard, but indeed it does. The uncomfortable situation immediately erases any hope of his staying for tea, and after mumbling some words of gratitude, Leonard quickly departs.

The Schlegel sisters realize that they have offended Leonard and are embarrassed by the incident. They have a conversation with Aunt Juley about trust and suspicion, where Margaret recalls her father's statement about the importance of taking the risk of trusting people. Tibby then calls them to tea, during which Helen finds fault with him for not having been more of a host to Leonard Bast since he is the only male in the house. The discussion moves to Margaret's conclusion that their home is female in nature, yet not because there are more women than men in it. Rather, she suggests that the house has a personality beyond the people that live in it. In contrast, she mentions that the Wilcox house is masculine in nature.

As the Schlegels enjoy tea, Leonard Bast walks home, thinking bitterly about the umbrella incident. His financial status is much lower than that of the Schlegel family, and he had to refrain from buying a newspaper in order to be able to afford the concert where he met them. When he arrives at his home, a basement apartment in an area made up of hastily built flats called Camelia Road, he sits down to read Ruskin. Leonard is hoping to improve his skills in English prose through his reading. While he is far from financially comfortable, he is also not entirely poor, and thinks he can maintain social respectability by becoming cultured.

Upon hearing somebody enter the house, he closes the book, putting the calling card that he received from Margaret into it as a bookmark. Jacky has arrived. Not as attractive as she was in her youth, she is in her thirties and suffers from some hearing loss. Leonard, not yet twenty-one, has promised to marry her as soon as he comes of age. She does not fit into his ideals of attaining high culture, but he claims that he would never be capable of abandoning a woman in trouble. After a meager dinner, Leonard is relieved when Jacky goes to bed so that he can focus on his Ruskin. He regards her as a distraction in his attempts to improve his education, for she incessantly questions his love for her, especially after she sees Margaret's calling card fall out of his book.

The next day, Aunt Juley, who has been all but spying on the flats across the way, informs Margaret that the Wilcoxes have moved into one of them. Helen makes an untimely entrance and discovers the news, leading her to blush severely as she remembers the embarrassing incident with Paul. Margaret and Aunt Juley fear for her wellbeing under the awkward circumstances and Aunt Juley is especially worried, as she is departing in the morning and will be leaving her nieces unattended. Margaret maintains that everything will be fine and that no planning ahead is necessary. She does, however, confront Helen about how intensely she blushed upon hearing the news. Helen says that there is nothing to worry about, for she has been invited to go to Germany with Frieda for a little while, and moreover, there is no chance of her ever again esteeming a Wilcox.

Analysis

With the introduction of Leonard Bast, another layer of social class is brought into the novel. The differences between the Schlegels and the Wilcoxes that earlier seemed so pronounced now pale in comparison, for both of them are relatively well off compared to Leonard. The relationship between the rich and the poor is an important theme in Howards End, and Leonard Bast serves as the primary representative of the latter group, despite his not being at the very bottom of the financial ladder. After the umbrella incident, the Schlegels feel sympathy for Leonard, which is exactly what he did not want. He detests the idea of being regarded as a charity case, for he does not want to be defined by his class. This is why he tries so hard to further himself intellectually, putting his desire for culture ahead of virtually everything else in his life.

Leonard's envy of the Schlegels does not result solely from their stable financial situation. In truth, he is more jealous of their knowledge of the arts and their ability to talk about culture so freely than their wealth. However, he does concede that they live better lives because they need not worry about falling into the abyss of poverty. Leonard thinks of himself as teetering on the edge, which puts him in a difficult situation of not feeling comfortable in either world. He feels awkward when in conversation with Margaret due to her intelligence and cleverness. Conversations with Jacky, meanwhile, are equally uncomfortable, due both to her hearing problem and her inability to understand literature and culture. Leonard is trapped between two worlds. There is no way for him to end up completely on the more fortunate side, for circumstances such as Jacky and his lack of money are holding him back, but he is determined to do the best that he can.

Leonard's situation is an example of the economic barriers in London. He does not want to give the Schlegels his address because he fears that if they know of his financial status, their opinion of him will change and he will have no chance of being esteemed in their eyes. There is some truth to his fear, as after he runs out with his umbrella, the Schlegels immediately begin to worry over and even pity him. Even they, with their notions of the inner life and personal relationships, can fall victim to making assumptions based on one's outer existence.

The issue of class also appears in regard to the Wilcoxes. Aunt Juley accuses the family of social climbing by moving into the city, indicating that there are divisions even within classes. However, all agree on the importance of having money. Margaret likens money to an island that people such as herself and the Wilcoxes can rely on for protection. She discusses how the well off can take certain things for granted, and one must recall Leonard Bast's situation. Margaret speaks of money frankly and without shame, for she is not afraid to state the way things are, even though many people would be taken aback by her discussing finances so openly.

The Wilcoxes are returning to the picture, and the Schlegel sisters' reactions to this news reveal aspects of their characters. Despite their outward similarities, Margaret and Helen are actually quite different. Though sometimes impulsive, Margaret is able to handle situations with a steady hand, whereas Helen tends to run away when she feels uncomfortable. For example, she hastily leaves the concert due to her overwhelming vision of goblins, and feelings of panic and emptiness. Similarly, she runs away from potential awkwardness with the Wilcoxes by traveling with Frieda. This behavior suggests that her romance with Paul had a larger impact on her than she is willing to let on. Inevitably, the two families will continue to interact, and drama will ensue. Forster continues to prime them for connection, for nothing in Howards End is accidental.

Summary

On the day that Helen and Frieda are departing for Germany, Mrs. Wilcox calls on the Schlegels, who are not there to receive her. Helen seems unaffected by the situation, but Margaret sends Mrs. Wilcox a note suggesting that it would be better that they not maintain a friendship, as she wants to avoid any potential awkwardness between Helen and Paul. Mrs. Wilcox's response indicates that Margaret's letter offended her, for the only reason that she initiated contact was to inform her that Paul had departed for Nigeria.

Margaret is mortified and immediately pays Mrs. Wilcox a visit in order to make amends. After words of apology, they are able to put the misunderstanding behind them, and Mrs. Wilcox asks Margaret to keep her company for a while, as she is spending the day resting. Margaret is happy to stay, and Mrs. Wilcox tells her of developments in her family. Charles has married a woman named Dolly Fussell and they will be living in Hilton at a house near Howards End. Mr. Wilcox and the youngest Wilcox child, Evie, are driving through the countryside for pleasure. Thus, Mrs. Wilcox is staying in London alone. Margaret's interest is peaked when the conversation moves to Howards End.

Mrs. Wilcox reveals that she was born there and that she finds it far superior to the city life that London offers. She has a true connection to the land and to the history of the area, as she relates to Margaret the legend that pigs' teeth stuck into the wych-elm have given the bark the power to cure toothaches. Margaret is delighted by the tale and is disappointed when the conversation turns back to less interesting matters. Mrs. Wilcox's description of Howards End strikes a chord in Margaret, as the older woman knows so much and is so fond of the place.

Margaret is delighted by her relationship with Mrs. Wilcox, and vice versa. They both have a genuine interest in each other - Mrs. Wilcox respects Margaret's honest eloquence, and Margaret respects Mrs. Wilcox's combination of selflessness and individuality. Margaret decides to have a lunch at Wickham Place, where she will introduce Mrs. Wilcox to some of her younger friends. The event does not go as smoothly as she would have liked, however, for the guest of honor does not fit in very well. While most of the guests are interested in discussing politics and culture, and Mrs. Wilcox has little to say regarding these subjects. She admits that in her family, such discussions are rare. The lunch causes Margaret embarrassment, for she feels that she has displeased her guest. However, Mrs. Wilcox maintains that she had a fine time, and that her only regret is that she could not contribute more to the conversation. Margaret's friends are less forgiving, deciding that Mrs. Wilcox has little to offer their circle.

In the days following the lunch Margaret anxiously waits for Mrs. Wilcox to contact her again. She is relieved when she finally hears from her, and the two women plan to do Christmas shopping together. As they discuss Christmas while navigating the streets of London, Margaret reveals to Mrs. Wilcox that in a matter of two or three years, her family's lease on Wickham Place will expire. They cannot renew the lease, as the house is scheduled to be torn down in order to build flats. Mrs. Wilcox is horrified by this, for she cannot imagine having to lose her childhood home. She invites Margaret to come immediately to Howards End, sensing that she might appreciate it. To Mrs. Wilcox's surprise, Margaret suggests they wait for another day to make the visit. Mrs. Wilcox immediately grows cold and they head back to their respective homes, the liveliness between them having been lessened considerably.

After this frosty end to the shopping trip, Margaret realizes her faux pas. She understands how inappropriate it was for her to turn down Mrs. Wilcox's kind offer, and she immediately goes to the Wilcox house in order to make amends. She is informed by a maid that Mrs. Wilcox has left, thus she makes her way to Kings Cross station, where Mrs. Wilcox is waiting for a train to Hilton. Margaret says that she will join her, and they plan to spend the night there in order to enjoy the morning that Howards End offers. However, before they can depart, Evie and Mr. Wilcox appear, having just returned from their motoring trip. Mrs. Wilcox was not expecting them so early, but they explain that they had some car trouble. She defers to her family without hesitation, telling Margaret that they will have to postpone the trip after all.

The two women never do make it to Howards End together, for Mrs. Wilcox's health declines and she passes away. Having kept her illness quiet, her family is incredibly saddened by their matriarch's untimely death. She is buried near Howards End, and residents of Hilton observe her funeral. After her burial, Mr. Wilcox sits upstairs refusing food or company, much to the dismay of his children and new daughter-in-law, Dolly, who feels out of place and uncomfortable, having just entered the family. Mr. Wilcox's grief turns to anger when he receives a note that Mrs. Wilcox wrote on her deathbed. In the handwritten message, she asks that Howards End be given to Margaret. The Wilcoxes are both confused and outraged, suspecting Margaret of foul play, and after a family discussion of the matter, they decide to ignore her wishes, as it is impossible for them to understand the circumstances of Mrs. Wilcox's decision.

Analysis

The friendship that develops between Margaret and Mrs. Wilcox is crucial to the theme of connection. Their bond is something that others, such as Margaret's friends and the Wilcox family, cannot understand. They manage to forge a true connection despite their different ideals. Margaret's friends in London cannot comprehend what Mrs. Wilcox has to offer, for in their minds, her inability to discuss politics and culture makes her uninteresting. Meanwhile, despite her intellectual curiosity, discussing something as simple as a house delights Margaret. Margaret finds something comforting about Mrs. Wilcox, for in a time when London is changing and growing, she has remained devoted and loyal to the countryside where she was born.

As Margaret's friends are unforgiving about Mrs. Wilcox, so are the Wilcoxes unforgiving about Margaret. They cannot understand why their matriarch would have wanted Margaret to have Howards End. The note from Mrs. Wilcox's deathbed makes them feel betrayed, as they so often fall victim to the world of "telegrams and anger." The Wilcoxes project their feelings on Margaret, assuming she manipulated Mrs. Wilcox while she was ill. Their suspicion is indicative of their characters, for Helen earlier mentioned that the great flaw of the Wilcox family is their emphasis on the outer life.

It has already been established that Mrs. Wilcox is different from the rest of her family. As Cyrus Hoy writes in his analysis of the novel, the practicality and logic of the Wilcoxes do not apply to Mrs. Wilcox, especially when she loses herself in the country environment of Howards End. She is not, however, exactly like Margaret either. Margaret is at home in the fast-paced London life and must guide Mrs. Wilcox through the city as they go Christmas shopping. In exchange, Mrs. Wilcox wants to show Margaret her way of life by taking her out to Howards End. Margaret is not an unchanging person, for she is constantly learning as she grows older. Her friendship with Mrs. Wilcox teaches her that there is more to life than just art and literature, and that simple things can be just as satisfying. Still, there are parts of Mrs. Wilcox that conform to society's standards. As much as she loves Howards End, she is diligent in her duties as wife and mother, and as soon as she sees her family, she is willing to drop everything to tend to them.

Her untimely death leaves Margaret with an unfulfilled lesson. The women once spoke about what made a house a home. Margaret expressed her opinion that a home is created by people and discussion. Earlier in the novel, Wickham Place was described as being feminine due to its character. For Margaret, a home is not about physical structure, for any building can acquire the necessary spirit when the right things or people are in it. Therefore, she seems to think that it is of little consequence that their house will eventually be torn down and that they will need to find another one.

On the other hand, Mrs. Wilcox sees the importance of a house as a physical entity. She is horrified that the Schlegels will lose the place in which they grew up, and she is further upset that Margaret does not seem to care. When she mandates that Howards End be given to Margaret, then, she is not, as her family supposes, simply handing off a piece of property with monetary value. Rather, she is passing on an ideal that she hopes Margaret can understand and appreciate. The Wilcoxes' decision to keep this from Margaret means that she will have to find another way to come to understand Mrs. Wilcox's wisdom.

Summary

As luck would have it for the Wilcox family, Mrs. Wilcox never informed Margaret that she was to have Howards End. Even after her friend's death, Margaret continues to be involved with the Wilcoxes. In spite of their seriousness and practicality, she recognizes the importance of embracing different kinds of people, for she realizes that because of men like the Wilcoxes, England has flourished. As she thinks about Mrs. Wilcox's life and death, she feels more optimistic about people and life, for Mrs. Wilcox lived a wonderfully balanced existence.

Several weeks later, Helen returns from Germany, putting the three siblings together again. Tibby is looking to study at Oxford, which he finds remarkable not for the people but for the location. In conversation with her siblings, Margaret mentions that Charles Wilcox recently contacted her to inquire as to whether Mrs. Wilcox had mentioned anything about bequeathing something to her upon her death. Margaret replies that this was not the case, but they give her a small trinket anyway. Margaret sees this gesture as considerate and polite, completely unaware of the reason for the gift. It is evident that the Wilcoxes feel some guilt about disobeying the orders of the deceased.

Two years have passed, and the Schlegels are continuing on as usual, although some things have changed. Their world is becoming more and more urbanized, and the day finally comes when the expiration of their lease on Wickham Place is imminent. Margaret must spend a good deal of time house hunting, and she discusses this with Tibby, who is home on vacation from his studies at Oxford. During this conversation she reminds her brother of the importance of working, or at least seeming to work, in order to keep busy. Tibby is evolving into an interesting character, showing true Schlegel traits such as the refusal to conform to the typical expectations of society.

Helen enters in the midst of Margaret and Tibby's discussion with baffling news. She has just received a female caller who was seeking her husband at Wickham Place. The woman, reports Helen, seemed very suspicious and was called Mrs. Lanoline, although Helen is not exactly sure if she properly heard her name. In fact, the woman is Jacky, Leonard Bast's wife, but the Schlegels do not yet know this and are mystified by the situation. It is highly bizarre that an unknown woman would come to them seeking her husband.

The next day, Leonard Bast comes to call on the Schlegels. As it has been several years since the incident involving Helen and his umbrella, the Schlegels do not recall who he is. Leonard reminds them of their meeting and of receiving Margaret's card, although they admit that they go to music concerts so often that they have a hard time remembering each specific instance. Leonard explains that he was influenced by his reading to take a long walk out of the city in order to see the dawn. Because he was gone for so long, Jacky grew suspicious, found Margaret's card and assumed that he would be at Wickham Place.

The Schlegel sisters are far more interested in Leonard's poetic evening than in Jacky's reasons for coming. Helen is especially enraptured. Leonard keeps alluding to literature in describing his reasons for wanting to walk all night, but the girls are more interested in his personal motivation. He describes how when he finally saw the dawn, it was much less than he expected, and Helen agrees with him wholeheartedly on this point. Their conversation is cut short when the Schlegels must go to dinner, but the encounter is so pleasant that Leonard does not want to meet them again. He feels that no subsequent meeting could ever compare to this one, thus he does not want to spoil it. As he walks home, he remembers the ladies fondly. It was delightful for him to be able to talk to them about his experience, for he finds it very difficult to explain such things to Jacky.

Seeing Leonard Bast again impacts the Schlegel sisters as well. They cannot help but to bring him up with their friends. At one gathering, a discussion occurs regarding how a theoretical inheritance might best be distributed. They agree on the need to benefit the less fortunate, and as they consider people like Leonard, they end up referring to him as "Mr. Bast." Some members of the party think that Mr. Bast should be given the opportunity to be cultured through exposure to experiences that he may not otherwise be able to afford. Margaret, however, believes that he should be given the money so that he may choose his own experiences. This way he will be able to figure out his life for himself without having somebody else's ideals imposed upon him.

On the way home from this gathering, the Schlegel sisters encounter Mr. Wilcox, who has become much more financially successful since his wife's death, acquiring property all over England. Leonard Bast continues to be a presence in the ladies' thoughts, and they bring him up in conversation with Mr. Wilcox. He inquires as to how this Mr. Bast is employed, and upon hearing that he works at an insurance company known as Porphyrion, he informs the sisters that the company is about to crash and that he should get out while he is ahead. It will be easier for him to find another job while he is employed rather than to wait until he is unemployed. It is also in this conversation that Mr. Wilcox informs the Schlegels that he has rented out Howards End because it does not suit his family's purposes. Once they bid Mr. Wilcox farewell, Margaret and Helen resolve to invite Leonard over once again in order to inform him of his company's situation.

Analysis

Even after Mrs. Wilcox's death, Margaret continues to feel the impact of both her and the rest of the Wilcox family. Margaret proves to be quite different from her siblings; something of a midpoint between them and the remaining Wilcoxes. She cherishes Helen and Tibby, who are flighty and idealistic, but also values the sensibility of the Wilcoxes. In a letter to Helen, who is still abroad at the time of Mrs. Wilcox's death, Margaret advises her sister to find pleasure in the "seen" rather than dwelling solely on the "unseen." This can be interpreted to mean that the daily aspects of life must not be completely dismissed, for it is important to enjoy one's current life rather than to constantly be waiting for a more romantic and abstract world. This advice is certainly motivated by Mrs. Wilcox, for Margaret realizes that she was able to find pleasure in the simple aspects of life.

Mrs. Wilcox's intentions for Howards End, although dismissed by her family, are still a looming presence in the novel. While the Wilcoxes demonstrate guilt about having ignored her wishes by sending Margaret a small piece of silver from Mrs. Wilcox's collection, they still seem to think that they have done the right thing. Margaret is trusting and grateful towards the Wilcoxes for the gift, even though they apparently do not trust her. The imminent expiration of the lease on Wickham Place, partnered with Mr. Wilcox's admission that the Wilcoxes do not even have use for Howards End, furthers the irony of the situation. For the Wilcoxes, the house represents more than just a home. For the Schlegels, the imminent loss of their home forces them to realize what it means to them, and that perhaps a house consists of more than just the people inside of it. As the narrator discusses the changes are occurring in London, such as the construction of more and more flats, Howards End increasingly seems like a more pleasant and feasible alternative.

The second appearance of Leonard Bast forces the Schlegels to recognize another group or social stratum of people in the world, and this is something that they dwell on. Jacky's appearance inspires feelings of discomfort, for she is likened to having risen out of the abyss of poverty. When Leonard was first introduced, his largest fear was falling into the abyss of poverty and ignorance. Leonard is still trying to become cultured and wise, and he seems to be coming closer to this goal. As he leaves Wickham Place the second time around, he is pleased with the encounter, a sharp contrast to the bitter thoughts he felt when leaving the first time with his tattered umbrella.

The way that the Schlegels discuss Leonard at dinner parties would certainly embarrass him, for he would much prefer to be an equal in their eyes rather than a charity case. Margaret's suggestion that the less fortunate should receive money instead of the opportunity to become cultured is interesting in light of Leonard's character. She believes that a man should be able to assume his own ideals. One must wonder, however, if Leonard's ideal of attaining culture is really his own or is just something that he thinks will save him from the looming abyss. There is something forced and unnatural about his constant references to literature and art, almost as though he is trying to prove his worth in the refined world of the Schlegels. Like Mrs. Wilcox, he is becoming a constant presence in the minds of the Schlegels. They are a family that cannot ignore people once they have entered their lives.

Margaret mentions that the more people she comes to know, the more she feels she will end up caring about a place. A central theme of Howards End is that people and life are always moving, much like the constant ebb and flow of a tide. It is the unpredictable nature of life that makes it safest to rely on a place or home that is sturdy and firm. Especially in an atmosphere of English nationalism, ties to the land are quite important, the most blatant symbol of which is the enormous wych-elm at Howards End. A popular critical interpretation of Howards End is that the house is a symbol for the world, or perhaps England, and the Schlegels are the Wilcoxes are representative of the opposing forces who are laying claim to it. There is validity to this interpretation on several levels, given both the political situation from 1910 on, and the changing ideals that accompany industrialization, urbanization, and capitalism.

Summary

As he feared, Leonard Bast's visit for tea at Wickham Place is indeed a disaster. He initially considers himself fortunate to be amidst people as interesting as the Schlegels, and he thinks of them as "Romance." He is expecting an enjoyable follow-up to their last encounter, full of lively and literary conversation. When the Schlegels bring up the situation of his employment, then, Leonard is extremely frustrated and disappointed. Their frank way of speaking to him about the matter makes him suspicious. He finds it unfair that once he is able to be in their company, they choose to talk about practical rather than intellectual things.

His anger intensifies when Mr. Wilcox and Evie arrive with two dogs. Since Mrs. Wilcox's death, Evie has taken to training canines in addition to keeping her father company. Against his better judgment, Leonard begins to make a scene before leaving. He draws Mr. Wilcox into the argument, which culminates in a heated exchange between Leonard and Margaret. Margaret reminds him that a true friendship cannot exist solely on cultural interactions, for there is also the need for the mundane. That, she says, is simply the nature of life. Outraged, Leonard storms off. Mr. Wilcox compliments Margaret on her handling of the situation. The Schlegel sisters are upset over the incident because they cannot stand for anybody to be vexed, and Helen attempts to go after Leonard.

Summary

As he feared, Leonard Bast's visit for tea at Wickham Place is indeed a disaster. He initially considers himself fortunate to be amidst people as interesting as the Schlegels, and he thinks of them as "Romance." He is expecting an enjoyable follow-up to their last encounter, full of lively and literary conversation. Then, when the Schlegels bring up the situation of his employment, Leonard is extremely frustrated and disappointed. Their frank way of speaking to him about the matter makes him suspicious. He finds it unfair that once he is able to be in their company, they choose to talk about practical rather than intellectual things.

His anger intensifies when Mr. Wilcox and Evie arrive with two dogs. Since Mrs. Wilcox's death, Evie has taken to training canines in addition to keeping her father company. Against his better judgment, Leonard begins to make a scene before leaving. He draws Mr. Wilcox into the argument, which culminates in a heated exchange between Leonard and Margaret. Margaret reminds him that a true friendship cannot exist solely on cultural interactions, for there is also the need for the mundane. That, she says, is simply the nature of life. Outraged, Leonard storms off. Mr. Wilcox compliments Margaret on her handling of the situation. The Schlegel sisters are upset over the incident because they cannot stand for anybody to be vexed, and Helen attempts to go after Leonard.

The Wilcoxes and Margaret discuss the afternoon's events. Mr. Wilcox maintains that some people are rich and some people are poor, which is simply a fact of live. In his view, poverty does not necessarily mean unhappiness. Whenever Margaret tries to defend Leonard Bast, Mr. Wilcox reacts with jealousy. Margaret realizes that she is in the midst of a figurative "triangle of sex" and is mildly amused. When the Wilcoxes depart, Margaret goes to find Helen, who reports that Leonard left long ago. Helen feels very badly for Leonard and is quite annoyed with Mr. Wilcox. On the other hand, Mr. Wilcox admits to Evie when departing that he worries about the Schlegels and wants to make sure that they do not get into any trouble. Evie announces that while Helen is somewhat tolerable, she cannot stand Margaret. Soon after this encounter, Evie strikes up a relationship with one of Dolly's uncles, Percy Cahill.

In the days that follow, Margaret has an incredibly difficult time finding a house for her family. She is exasperated by the hunt, for she finds that she is not even sure of what she is looking for. Despite having resolved to spend every moment of her time on the task, she accepts an invitation to have lunch with Evie and her fiancé Percy Cahill. Upon arriving at this luncheon, Margaret sees that Mr. Wilcox will also be joining them. She ends up chatting with him throughout the lunch, as Evie and her intended are flirting incessantly. Margaret finds her conversation with Mr. Wilcox surprisingly agreeable, and realizes it must have been he, not Evie, who desired her company. After having such a pleasant time, Margaret mentions to Mr. Wilcox that she knows of another place where they should take lunch together one day.

Margaret and Mr. Wilcox have a second lunch, and shortly afterwards, the Schlegels depart for their annual visit to Swanage and Aunt Juley. Barely into her holiday, Margaret receives a letter from Mr. Wilcox. He informs her that since Evie's impending nuptials will take place at their house near Wales, Oniton Grange, he will be letting his property on Ducie Street in London. After consulting her siblings, Margaret accepts Mr. Wilcox's offer to return to London to examine the house. She suspects he might have another reason for contacting her. In the midst of showing her the property, Mr. Wilcox admits that he has asked Margaret to come to London so he can ask her something. He proposes. The moment is neither romantic nor dramatic, but still manages to delight Margaret. She resolves to return to Swanage to discuss the situation with her family and then give him her response by post.

Unaware of what has happened at Ducie Street, Helen, Aunt Juley, Frieda and her husband and child are waiting for Margaret's train. Tibby has been instructed to pick her up at that station and then join the family for a picnic. As they wait, they look out over the landscape and recall with some amusement the entire Wilcox affair between Helen and Paul. The family witness Margaret's train pass, and soon afterwards Tibby arrives with his sister. Margaret has saved the engagement news for Helen, and she immediately takes her aside in order to tell her of the proposal.

Initially horrified, Helen pleads with Margaret not to marry Mr. Wilcox. She is surprised that Margaret would even consider it. Helen has extremely negative feelings towards Mr. Wilcox, and it takes Margaret a great deal of effort to convince Helen to listen to her side of the situation. Once Helen consents to hear her out, Margaret explains how she came to recognize his affection for her in the time between Leonard Bast's visit and her departure for Swanage. Margaret claims to see and understand his faults, and is resolved not to become the typical married woman who is closed off from the world and entirely dependent on her husband. Margaret assures Helen that she will in no way compromise herself or her ideals. Helen, however, is not so sure this is possible.

Analysis

Although Margaret, Helen, and Leonard Bast share an interest in culture, they discuss things very differently. Margaret and Helen are impulsive and tend to say what they feel, throwing caution to the wind. In contrast, Leonard Bast thinks carefully about exactly how to behave around the Schlegels, for opportunities to be around "Romance," as he thinks of the sisters, are rare. The Schlegels have a security and confidence that Leonard lacks, providing support to Margaret's claim that money is an island allowing for firm ground beneath one's feet. Leonard lacks this advantage, which explains why he is so easily driven to despair. Interestingly, despite her standing on a figurative island of money, Helen lacks the stability that her sister enjoys. She is deeply affected by things, and Leonard's unpleasant departure upsets her greatly. Throughout the novel, Helen's reactions are heartfelt and emotional, which does not always serve her well.

The concept of how to approach and exist in daily life appears quite often. As she attempts to set Leonard straight, Margaret accuses him of being too fixated on the romanticism of things. She tells him that it is dangerous to focus only on things such as poetry and his evening walk, reminding him that a true relationship is about balancing daily life with the grander things. She gives Helen similar advice, reminding her to cherish the seen as well as the unseen. These are lessons Margaret learned from Mrs. Wilcox, who was an example of living in proportion and easily found happiness in the present.

In Howards End, there are many discussions of "types" of people. Leonard regards Margaret and Helen as a cultured type, and Mr. Wilcox regards Leonard as a lesser type due to his socioeconomic standing. There are multiple instances where Mr. Wilcox remarks about "knowing the type" when a specific person is mentioned. Meanwhile, Margaret and Helen try to see people for who they really are rather than placing them in limited boxes. The Schlegel sisters are guided by personal relations rather than the "outer life," and are thus more inclined to become involved with people such as Leonard Bast. When something or someone enters Margaret and Helen's lives, they cannot ignore it. Mr. Wilcox, on the other hand, has no problem leaving something behind when he no longer needs it. In this sense, the Schlegels and Wilcoxes represent the division of middle class lifestyles in England at the time: humanity, romanticism, and old money, versus capitalism, logic, and social mobility.

Despite their differences, Mr. Wilcox's proposal to Margaret is not a surprise. Forster has cleverly set up the believability of the otherwise unlikely pair. They both stay true to their characters and still manage to find some common ground. Ironically, Margaret and Mr. Wilcox bond over house hunting, after the very issue of a house (Howards End) was what once separated the Schlegels and Wilcoxes. While Margaret vows to stay true to herself in this possible marriage, the financial island on which she stands is also not providing her with all of the stability that she longs for. No matter how much money she has, nothing can stop how quickly the world around her is changing. Margaret lacks the stability of a home or a husband, which leads her to begin to value those aspects of life that she may have dismissed earlier.

Margaret and Mr. Wilcox's relationship is not a particularly romantic or passionate, but each is able to find meaning within it. Although Margaret readily admits to the lack of romance in Mr. Wilcox's proposal, something about it overwhelms and excites her. However, her loyalty to Helen still comes first, and she is unable to make a decision until she talks it over with her sister. For Margaret, her family is her home and is deeply rooted into her life, similar to Mrs. Wilcox's connection to Howards End. The marriage discussion between Margaret and Helen raises the question of whether it is acceptable to love someone once you admit to their faults and whether it is possible to change or be changed in a relationship. Even before the proposal is finalized, there are challenges in the union between Margaret and Mr. Wilcox, which foreshadows future events.

Summary

With Helen having made her peace with Margaret's potential engagement as much possible, Margaret accepts Mr. Wilcox's proposal. Mr. Wilcox arrives at Swanage to give Margaret an engagement ring. In the evening, the couple decided to take a walk together. Margaret is interested in discussing how their feelings for each other evolved, but Mr. Wilcox prefers to talk business. He informs Margaret that almost all of his earthly possessions must end up in the hands of his children, and she wholeheartedly supports this choice. Once again, Margaret proves quite frank in discussing finances, and discloses her income without hesitation. Throughout the walk, a group of boys mocks the couple, and Mr. Wilcox expresses his annoyance that such disrespectful people are given the right to vote.

The conversation leads to the issue of where they should live once married. Mr. Wilcox has numerous properties, and thinks of residences in terms of business and logic. Thus, the matter of where to live is an issue of practicality for him, whereas for Margaret it would ideally be about the best emotional fit. Still, she is determined to be as agreeable and open as possible. At the end of their discussion, Mr. Wilcox insists on walking her home. She is used to taking care of herself, and therefore initially objects, but realizes she cannot decline his offer. As he leaves her at the door, he very suddenly rushes in and kisses her before leaving. Margaret is taken aback by his hurriedness, and recalls Helen's description of the aftermath of her kiss with Paul Wilcox.

Meanwhile, the Wilcox children are proving to be very judgmental about the union. Charles is especially suspicious of the Schlegels. He blames Dolly for having made it possible for his sister to become attracted to Percy Cahill. He insists that if that had not happened, Evie would have continued to be a companion for Mr. Wilcox and his engagement to Margaret would never have happened. Charles resolves to keep a close eye on the Schlegels so that they cannot jeopardize his future. He assumes that Margaret has spent her life trying to get Howards End for herself and that this is just another attempt.

The day after their kiss, Mr. Wilcox and Margaret again spend time together. Margaret has told herself that she must try to help him connect his prose with his passion, for she thinks it will make all the difference for him. His stubbornness guarantees that such a feat will prove challenging, for he is more interested in concentrating on the present than in examining the big picture of life. While Margaret recognizes Mr. Wilcox's faults, it is her goal to try to get him to meet her somewhere in the middle.

It comes up in conversation that Helen has heard from Leonard Bast. He took Mr. Wilcox's advice, delivered through the Schlegel sisters, and accepted a position at another company, although his new job pays him considerably less. Now, however, Mr. Wilcox claims that Porphyrion is not such a bad company after all, for they managed to scrape by and avoid bankruptcy. Ironically, there was no reason for Leonard to clear out. The Schlegels, namely Helen, are horrified that Leonard left his job and suffered a salary cut for no reason and feel incredibly guilty. Helen is furious at Mr. Wilcox, yet he maintains that it is useless to dwell on the poor. Helen is horrified by his outlook.

Margaret cuts short her visit at Swanage, for Mr. Wilcox has decided to take her to Howards End. The tenant has gone abroad, and he is eager to show her the house and see Charles and his family. Margaret is initially hesitant about going, as her time at Swanage is an annual tradition. Before departing, she has an honest discussion with Helen, as it is important to her that they part on good terms. Margaret accepts her sister's dislike of her intended, but asks that she be nice to him. Helen agrees and tells her sister not to worry. They will always love each other despite their different life choices.

Margaret goes to meet Mr. Wilcox and Charles at the office so that they can go up to Hilton. Mr. Wilcox takes Margaret to Howards End. He realizes once they arrive at the house that he has forgotten the key. He leaves Margaret alone on the property while he goes to retrieve it. Margaret soon finds that the house is actually open, and she ventures inside. She finds it enchanting despite its somewhat rough condition, and envisions people and life in the rooms and surrounding environment. Margaret thinks to herself that bigger does not mean better, especially when it comes to a house.

As Margaret is looking around, Miss Avery, a caretaker of the house, appears. She is on her way out, and tells Margaret that she almost mistook her for Mrs. Wilcox. The encounter startles Margaret, both because she did not know that anybody else was in the house and because of the comparison drawn between her and Mrs. Wilcox. While discussing the encounter later, Dolly rambles on incessantly about the history of Mrs. Wilcox's side of the family. Margaret learns that in their childhoods, Miss Avery and Mrs. Wilcox were friends. The entire experience of being at Howards End is comforting to Margaret, even though Mr. Wilcox constantly complains about the difficulty of maintaining it. When he and Margaret are looking at the wych-elm Mrs. Wilcox had said contained pigs' teeth, they find that they are actually there, even though Mr. Wilcox had earlier dismissed the notion as legend.

Analysis

In some ways, the differences between Margaret and Mr. Wilcox become more pronounced upon their engagement. Margaret thinks of their relationship in terms of love whereas Mr. Wilcox thinks of it in terms of business. Their outlooks on the world are markedly different, and they handle their respective families differently. Margaret seeks her family's approval through honest conversations and consultations so that she will continue to have loving relationships with them. On the other hand, Mr. Wilcox thinks he will win his children's approval by ensuring that they will still receive a substantial inheritance from him. While Helen is worried about her sister's happiness, Charles is only worried that his father is being financially manipulated.

Margaret continues to be overwhelmed by the city of London, as it is constantly in flux. She increasingly longs for something secure beneath her feet, recalling once again the conversation that she had with Aunt Juley likening money to islands. It is starting to seem as though it takes more than money to be protected against the tide. She knows that marrying Mr. Wilcox will give her a certain degree of comfort, but she longs for him to connect his passion and prose, and expresses this desire in a passage that is the most pronounced example of the novel's epigraph. Here, Forster examines connecting the different aspects of one person rather than connecting two people or two families.

Helen and Mr. Wilcox are becoming increasingly polarized. Mr. Wilcox does not see the importance of Leonard Bast's situation, nor his responsibility in it. It does not matter to him whether the young man is making more or less money, because he sees life in terms of business, in which everything is a gamble. Helen is devastated by the situation, feeling her fair share of guilt. She expects Mr. Wilcox to admit his error and to somehow make amends. Yet, he maintains that there have been distinctions between the rich and the poor forever, and that this is nothing out of the ordinary.

Margaret is not pleased by the situation with Leonard Bast, but is on a quest for truth, resolving that the only way to find it is to explore unfamiliar things. Helen has decided that she will not settle until she finds someone who will accept her approach to life, but Margaret relishes the opportunity to discover another realm. She perceives things in terms of bettering her understanding of life, and this includes her relationship with Mr. Wilcox. However, there is a fine line between accepting differences and compromising oneself, and this is what concerns Helen.

Finally, Margaret sees Howards End. The house has been lurking in the novel for many chapters now. Finally visiting the home profoundly affects Margaret. It stirs her spirit of English rather than German nationalism, and lessens her anxiety about the fast pace of city life. Undoubtedly, she can sense Mrs. Wilcox's spirit there, and being mistaken for her makes the experience all the more powerful.

Summary

Upon hearing of her father's engagement to Margaret, Evie decides to have her wedding as soon as possible. The festivities will take place at Oniton Grange, the Wilcox estate near Wales. As the future Mrs. Wilcox, the wedding is an opportunity for Margaret to socialize with some of Mr. Wilcox's acquaintances. Although she does not think highly of his set, she resolves to make an effort for his sake.

Margaret travels to Oniton with the wedding guests who are departing from London. The group does not include Tibby and Helen, although they were invited. Margaret manages to fend for herself in an atmosphere of overdone chivalry. She takes advantage of a resting point in order to tour the local area, and the last leg of the journey is by car. Margaret is unable to restrain herself when one of the vehicles in their party hits a cat. Initially the men of the group, which includes Charles, think that it is a dog. To spare the women an unpleasant scene, they put them into one car, which Charles drives away from the incident. Margaret begs him to stop, but he refuses. She ends up jumping out of the car, injuring her hand and shocking the rest of the guests. The rest of the group assumes that monetary compensation will take care of the accident, but Margaret feels genuine sorrow for the girl whose cat was struck, considering it likely that she is a better person than many of the people in the party. She soon realizes, however, that this is no place for her to be expressing her concerns, and she chalks her actions up to a woman's silliness. This is how she explains the situation to Mr. Wilcox upon her arrival at Oniton, and it is an excuse that is accepted.

During the evening's dinner party, Margaret walks around outside. She is delighted by Oniton, although the Wilcoxes do not think much of it, and she assumes that it will be where she and her future husband settle. She is determined to see the good in the place that is her potential home. While walking around outside she approaches Charles. He becomes very suspicious of her and completely mistrusts her intentions. His suspicion continues to the extent where he wonders if she has come to make a romantic advance towards him.

The next morning, Margaret looks out over the scenery. She longs to take a walk outdoors, but restrains herself. She has spotted Charles and Albert Fussell, a relative of Dolly's, going for a morning dip. Instead of jumping in casually, their excursion is a surprisingly thorough procedure, which Margaret observes with amusement. By not taking a walk, she is obeying the boundaries of sex. Instead of going outside, she joins the women who are admiring Evie in her wedding dress.

Shortly before Evie's ceremony, Margaret asks Mr. Wilcox if they might have a conversation. He is surprised and relieved when she tells him that she does not have anything in particular to discuss; she just wants to talk. As they converse, they walk around the house, and Margaret notices how large and complicated it is. She is astounded by all of the preparation and detail going into the wedding, for every last thing seems to have been thought of. As a result, the ceremony goes off very smoothly in a practical and unemotional way.

Following the wedding meal, most of the party has dispersed. Margaret is with Mr. Wilcox when they observe three people approaching. It is assumed that the three people are local villagers, and Mr. Wilcox urges Margaret to receive them in his stead, for the day has exhausted him. She realizes once he goes inside that they are not villages, but are Helen and the Basts. Helen has worked herself into a frenzy. She seems to have lost her wit and goes on about the conditions the Basts are living in. Leonard Bast has been let go from his new job, and she thinks that Mr. Wilcox should provide him with work. She claims that she found the couple starving. Margaret is outraged at her sister's indulgence and decides that they should stay the night in a hotel. She scolds Helen for having brought them all the way to Oniton, no easy feat, for it cannot possibly do any good.

Margaret goes in to talk to Mr. Wilcox, and Leonard and Helen leave Jacky to eat the wedding leftovers while they secure hotel rooms. When Margaret returns outside with Mr. Wilcox, Jacky has filled up to the extent of being drunk. She addresses Mr. Wilcox as "Henry," speaking to him as though they have quite an intimate relationship. Margaret is initially confused by this, but the situation soon becomes clear. As it turns out, Jacky was Mr. Wilcox's mistress ten years ago when he was in Cyprus and she was a prostitute. Mr. Wilcox thinks that he has been set up for embarrassment, and is so ashamed that he tells Margaret the engagement must be canceled. However, Margaret feels more for Mrs. Wilcox, to whom he was married when the affair occurred, than for herself.

At the hotel, Helen and Leonard have intimate and intense conversation while Jacky is in another room. Leonard speaks about the trials of his life, and Helen explains to him her belief that death is the great leveler of mankind. They also discuss the importance of one being able to "say 'I'". As they talk, they are presented with two notes from Margaret, who wrote to say that Mr. Wilcox can offer Leonard no work. She also informs Helen that the Basts are not good people and that she should come to Oniton Grange to spend the night. Margaret has resolved to forgive Mr. Wilcox despite his trespasses, for she thinks she can make him a better man. She is trying to clean up a messy situation, and the couple resolves to put the issue behind them and to try to refrain from mentioning it. The Oniton adventure ends with Helen and the Basts disappearing from the hotel with no word. Margaret, too, leaves the estate behind forever.

Analysis

Margaret notes the contrast between her friends and those of Mr. Wilcox. He does not appreciate friendship in the same way she does. As a result, she does not consider his friends impressive. Interestingly, Forster's description of Mr. Wilcox's friends is focused on gender roles. The primary distinction made between the people in the group is male versus female, which determines how they interact with each other. Margaret, on the other hand, focuses on individuals. The different views of Margaret and Mr. Wilcox about relationships also arise when Jacky is revealed to be his former mistress. In Mr. Wilcox's opinion, she is simply an investment gone bad that he expected never to encounter again. Margaret, however, cannot forget anybody who has had an impact in her life.

The wedding guests that Margaret travels with are shown to be financial-minded, making them a nice fit in Mr. Wilcox's world. When the cat is killed, their idea of improving the situation is to hand over a sum of money. Margaret feels strongly that money is no replacement for life. Despite her horror at the situation, she realizes that there are different kinds of people in the world, and not everybody prescribes to her ideals. She does not bother trying to connect with them in the way that she normally would, and instead interacts with them in a superficial manner. Here, Forster illustrates a fundamental divide in the middle class: there are those who operate financially, and those who dwell on emotions before acting in a pragmatic way.

The Schlegel sisters are frank and forthcoming, which is partly why they arouse suspicion in men. Initially, Leonard Bast was wary of them, and in these later chapters, Charles expresses incredible suspicion toward Margaret. Charles believes Margaret manipulated his late mother into giving her Howards End, his father into proposing to her, and that she is now trying to manipulate him. Mr. Wilcox also demonstrates a certain degree of suspicion when he thinks that Jacky's appearance0 was arranged at his expense.

The lack of love or emotion in Evie's wedding comes as something of a surprise to Margaret. The entire endeavor operates more like a machine than a celebration of a union. The event is considered a success, not because the couple is so happy, but because things run smoothly. When Helen and the Basts arrive, they thwart the perfection of the day. They are unexpected and do not fit into the situation, appearing in enormous contrast to the rest of the guests.

One cannot underestimate the importance of Helen's discussion of death. She speaks of it as something that can level men, for things like money and class are irrelevant after one dies. Helen looks to this notion of the afterlife as a comfort, although Margaret has warned her to be involved in the present ("the seen") and not to dwell only on the future ("the unseen"). Even Margaret cannot escape the presence of the dead, however, for Mrs. Wilcox is still a presence that awakens emotion in her. She thinks that the saddest part of Mr. Wilcox's affair with Jacky is that it was unjust to his wife at the time. Part of what is so heartbreaking for Helen is that Margaret takes Mr. Wilcox's side, and the consequences for the relationship between the sisters will be incredibly important in the final chapters of the novel.

Summary

Following Evie's wedding, Helen pays a visit to Tibby, who is finishing up his studies at Oxford. She wants him to inform Margaret that she will be going abroad for some time, and she asks Tibby to assume responsibility for her belongings, such as her books and furniture. She also tells him of Mr. Wilcox's relationship with Jacky and instructs him to give the Basts a large amount of her money. Tibby is shocked at the sum, but Helen is adamant. After this conversation, Tibby speaks with Margaret. He is relieved when she tells him that she is aware of the situation with Mr. Wilcox, and informs him that she will write to Helen. Following out another part of Helen's request, he attempts to give Leonard the money. Even though his finances have worsened considerably, Leonard refuses to accept it.

The Schlegels must move out of Wickham Place, and as they have not found a new home, they have no place to put their furniture. Since the tenant of Howards End died while abroad, the lease has been cancelled and Mr. Wilcox allows the Schlegel furniture to be stored there. Mr. Wilcox and Margaret have a small wedding followed by a honeymoon. They start their married life at Ducie Street, since Mr. Wilcox has deemed Oniton Grange unsuitable, leaving Margaret still trapped in the flux of London.

Meanwhile, Helen has gone abroad as she told her brother she would. It is unclear exactly where she is, since she has left no residential address. She does have a place to which her mail is directed, but there is something odd about her correspondence. Margaret, however, has another crisis to deal with when Dolly comes to see her. She tells her that Miss Avery has started to unpack the furniture at Howards End. This is strange because Margaret and Mr. Wilcox have no plans to move to Hilton. Rather, they are building a house in Sussex. Margaret expresses her annoyance, and Dolly tells her that Miss Avery has become increasingly bizarre of late. She relates the story of how Evie would not accept her wedding gift of a pendant, thinking that it was too much money for the older woman to spend. Margaret decides to go to Howards End to handle the situation.

Upon arriving in Hilton, Margaret finds Madge, Miss Avery's niece. Madge leads Margaret to Howards End, where Miss Avery is. She will not come out until Madge leaves. Once this happens, Margaret is surprised to see what has happened in the house. She finds it looking very much like her own due to the way her belongings were unpacked. Miss Avery maintains that Ruth Wilcox would want the house to be lived in rather than to sit empty, but Margaret firmly explains that there has been a misunderstanding, for she and Mr. Wilcox will not be living there.

Miss Avery speaks to Margaret boldly about the Wilcoxes, going so far as to say that Mrs. Wilcox should have married somebody else. Determined not to say anything against the family that she has married into, Margaret finally asks Miss Avery to hand over the keys to Howards End. She is adamant about the fact that the entire situation is a big misunderstanding. Before she can arrange for her belongings to be repacked, she is summoned to Swanage. Aunt Juley has fallen very ill and is expected to die. It has been eight months since Helen went abroad, but the catastrophe brings her back to England. Before she arrives at Swanage, she inquires by post as to Aunt Juley's condition. Miraculously, Aunt Juley's health has taken a sudden turn for the better, and when Helen learns of this, it appears that she will not be seeing her siblings after all, even though she is relatively nearby.

Back in London, Margaret and Tibby are unable to locate Helen. By this point Margaret is extremely worried. She decides to discuss the situation with Mr. Wilcox, who in turn brings it up with Charles. They are concerned over her sanity, and decide that the only way to make contact with her is through a trap. Since she has written to Margaret requesting some of her books, Margaret replies that she may find them at Howards End. She tells her when she may pick them up, and unbeknownst to Helen, Margaret and Mr. Wilcox plan on intercepting her there with a doctor.

Mr. Wilcox does not want Margaret to accompany him on the rather unpleasant business of intercepting her sister. She is clearly worn out by the situation, and he tells her that she should take some time to freshen up. As she is doing this, he attempts to depart without her. However, his plan is thwarted by an obstacle in the road and Margaret is able to catch him. It is crucial for her that she get to Helen first. Once they arrive at Howards End, Margaret rushes up to Helen, who is waiting outside. As she gets to her sister, she sees that she is pregnant. Margaret immediately unlocks the house and ushers Helen inside before anybody else can get to her.

Analysis

Helen's appeal to Tibby is notable, as she normally relies on Margaret. She now feels that she has all but lost Margaret, leaving her in a pit of desperation. She is clearly traumatized over something, and feels she must make an entirely new life for herself. For the first time, Tibby is forced to deal with his sisters as their protector rather than their charge. He is of an age where he must look out for them rather than the other way around, which is quite difficult given the unfortunate situation of Helen feeling unable to speak directly to her sister.

In these chapters, Wickham Place is said to die. The metaphor can extend not only to the house, but also to the Schlegel family. Just as the furniture has been removed from the house, leaving behind an empty shell that will soon be destroyed, the relations between the Schlegel siblings are not whole. Helen and Margaret are barely speaking, and the connection between them is all but severed. For Wickham Place, London, the growing city, has won, leaving it to its demise. Similarly, for the Schlegels, it seems that the outer life of telegrams and anger has claimed a victory.

While Helen is abroad, Margaret is adjusting to her role as Mr. Wilcox's wife. She is able to be honest and straightforward with him, but also recognizes that there are times when it is more appropriate to step back and let him have his way. She seems aware of how to make the relationship work, and considers her actions a way of making a connection. Margaret realizes that there are people in the world that she could not possibly reach if she were unyielding and righteous, which is how Helen tends to behave.

At the same time, Margaret longs for the security of living in a true home rather than moving around or being trapped in the constant flux of London. When she is at Howards End to confront Miss Avery, she sees the advantages to being out of the city. The chaos of the city can mask emotions, but in the country it is possible to live a more whole and fulfilling life. The intimacy with the land present in country living makes it easier for one to have clear thoughts and true relationships. The theme of feeling close to the land is especially important in an emerging environment of nationalism in England.

What troubles Margaret most is her relationship with her sister. She worries that Helen has let a series of relatively trivial events, including the kiss from Paul, send her into a downward spiral. She is racked with guilt about tricking her into going to Howards End, but hopes she will be able to help her. Margaret still considers herself her sister's protector, a duty more important to her than being Mr. Wilcox's wife. When the sisters are not in each other's presence, there is a communication barrier. Letters are not sufficient, for as they have so often said, they find their connection to exist on an inner level.

Summary

After ushering Helen into Howards End, Margaret will not allow anyone else to enter. The people on the outside of the house include Mr. Wilcox, Mr. Mansbridge, the doctor, and Helen's cab driver. Even though Mr. Wilcox is the owner of the house, Margaret still denies him entry. Helen's cab driver reveals to Mr. Mansbridge that Helen is with child, and he and Mr. Wilcox maintain that they should be allowed in to assist. Margaret, however, stands her ground, saying it is important for her to be alone with her sister. She reminds them that there is nothing that they could possibly do, and is adamant that men not be present.

Finally, she is able to convince her husband to order the others to depart. She assures him that she will find him at Dolly's after she speaks with her sister. Once everybody has left, Margaret enters Howards End and immediately goes to Helen. Margaret is truly sorry for having snuck up on her sister, but she thought it was the only way to reach her. Helen reveals that she has taken a flat in Munich with a woman named Monica, and she will soon be going back there. Monica, an Italian, is supportive of her situation and has proved a good companion throughout Helen's ordeal. Helen explains that living in Germany is her only option, since England is a country where her illegitimate pregnancy would not be well received.

Helen is interested in why their furniture is at Howards End, but Margaret is more interested in hearing what her sister has to say. She notices that Helen has changed intellectually over the past eight months. She has become more grounded and has found peace through the need to be sensible. Still, the sisters find it difficult to connect and are unable to have a meaningful conversation. While at Howards End, a card is delivered by messenger. It is from Mr. Wilcox, and it instructs Margaret to come discuss the situation with him at Dolly's while Helen stays at a hotel, which is ostensibly because there is no room at Dolly's, rather than being on account of his not wanting scandal under his son's roof.

As Margaret and Helen walk around Howards End, the sight of their furniture calls forth memories from their youth. They recall certain happenings from their childhood, and bond over the shared stories. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door from a little boy named Tom. He has come by to deliver milk, having been instructed by Miss Avery to do so. Margaret is annoyed at Miss Avery's presumption, but Helen is delighted both by Tom and the milk. She asks Margaret if they can spend the night together in the house before she goes back to Germany, and Margaret says that she would love to, but cannot do so without asking Mr. Wilcox for permission.

Margaret goes to Dolly's to speak with Mr. Wilcox about spending the night at Howards End. Mr. Wilcox has told Charles of the situation, and Charles has gone to inform Tibby. Mr. Wilcox suggests that Helen marry the man who impregnated her, but Margaret informs him that she has not come to discuss Helen's fate, but to request a favor. She asks him for his permission to stay at Howards End for one night. Mr. Wilcox denies her, using the excuse that one night could turn into two and so on, and Margaret is horrified by his hypocrisy. She finally snaps, calling him spoiled and reminding him that he too has had an affair. She brings up Mrs. Wilcox, which is something very rare between them. She tells him that he must see the connection between his mistake and Helen's. He is shocked and unyielding, and Margaret berates him for being unable to forgive while always being forgiven. She runs out after he again refuses her request.

Charles, meanwhile, has gone to call on Tibby to inform him of the situation. Charles thinks that Tibby should be furious by the situation and should take action. He asks Tibby if he knows who might be responsible for Helen's pregnancy. Aloud, Tibby recalls the Basts, as Helen came to him immediately after the disaster at Oniton. Tibby immediately regrets revealing this information, feeling as though he has betrayed Helen's confidence. However, Charles seems interested only in being angry. He does not understand the situation and thinks the entire family is shameful, going so far as to assume that Tibby condones his sister's behavior.

Back at Howards End, Helen explains to Margaret that Leonard Bast is in fact the father of her child. Despite Margaret's terrible conversation with Mr. Wilcox, she listens to Helen without bringing up her own troubles. Again, she notices how her sister has come to terms with life and has stopped reacting so violently to everything. Helen asks Margaret to go to Germany with her, and given her terrible argument with Mr. Wilcox, Margaret finds herself considering the option. She falls asleep thinking about how strange it is that she has found such peace in the middle of such a strange situation.

Analysis

The issue of sexism is perhaps most vivid in these chapters. In this battle between men and women, Howards End is the fort and stronghold. Margaret's goal is to keep the men out so the women can meet in privacy. She tells the men, including her husband, that they have nothing to offer the situation. She will not let herself be compromised by her husband, and being around her sister again reminds her of this. The issue of sexism arises yet again when Margaret reminds Mr. Wilcox that he, too, is guilty of having sex with a woman who was not his wife. Mr. Wilcox turns a blind eye to his mistakes, but Margaret forces him to confront them.

The differences between England and Germany are illustrated here on a cultural level. Helen explains to Margaret that her situation is completely unacceptable in England, while in Germany, she has a chance at a decent life. Helen is forced to look at life in a practical manner rather than purely romantically. The idea of half of her nationality effectively rejecting her is something that she must accept.

Howards End reconnects the sisters. Margaret maintains at first that the house is dead and is of little consequence to the situation at hand. Yet, as they walk around and see their belongings, their relationship is once again stirred. Being in the house and reliving childhood memories stirs up great emotion in the two women. They realize that they connect through the things that they love and remember rather than through explanations and apologies. The sisters celebrate rekindling their relationship, and the victory of the inner life over the outer life.

In contrast, Charles proves to be entirely governed by the outer life. He reacts with severe anger over the events at Howards End. His mother's wish to leave the house to Margaret still haunts him, forcing him to analyze more recent occurrences with a skewed perspective. Charles believes the entire Schlegel family is corrupt and says he is willing to act against Helen's impregnator on Tibby's behalf. In truth, Charles is not reacting against a specific individual, but rather working to enforce his code of morals and ethics on the world around him.

It is fitting that Mrs. Wilcox is again brought up in these chapters. Margaret and Helen discuss how she was always able to understand the little things in life, and how she must also understand what is happening now. Margaret things it is strange that Miss Avery's prophecy is being fulfilled, but she finds peace at Howards End, suggesting she is in the right place. For the women, Howards End is as sacred as a safe haven and is disconnected from the rapid pace of life. However, the Wilcox men prove to be an obstacle to this peace, believing that the conduct of the outside world must be maintained within the walls of Howards End, no matter what.

Summary

Since his intimate meeting with Helen at Oniton, Leonard Bast has been living in misery. He blames himself for the entire situation, although more likely than not, she was the one who initiated their relationship. Leonard thinks he has ruined Helen, likening her to a work of art, and he constantly feels anxiety about what has become of her. He is also in grave trouble financially. Helen forgot to pay the hotel bill when she ran off, which left him and Jacky to figure out a way to settle it and get back to London. After their brief tryst, Helen left him a note and was gone.

One of the only thinks keeping Leonard alive is his need to provide for Jacky. He considers himself unemployable and ruined, and relies on handouts from his family for support. He knows that they would rather give him money than have him show up on their doorstep. One day, when he happens to see Margaret from afar, he decides he must confess his sin to her and, if possible, find out how Helen is. He tracks Margaret down at Ducie Street and, once he is informed she has gone to Howards End, decides to go there as well.

Leonard leaves in the middle of the night, and arrives at Hilton very early in the morning. He, too, is taken with how different the country is from city life. For Leonard, it is a welcome change. He walks to Howards End from the station, and by the time he arrives has barely mustered up the courage to confess to Margaret. However, as soon as he gets to the house, Charles intercepts him. He can hardly get his words of confession out before Charles strikes him with the blunt end of a sword that belonged to Mr. Schlegel. Upon being struck, Leonard feels a terrible pain, not on the impact point of the blow, but in his heart. He falls to the floor, taking a bookshelf with him, and dies in a shower of books, not from the sword, but from a heart attack. Even though Charles' blow did not directly cause Leonard's death, Miss Avery makes a comment about Charles having committed murder.

Back at Dolly's, Mr. Wilcox is quite worried because Margaret has not come home. He discusses the situation with Charles, for he knows that he will have to explain himself at some point. Charles says he will go to Howards End first thing in the morning, which is when he encounters Leonard Bast and strikes him. Upon returning to his father, Charles announces what happened at Howards End. He assumes that Leonard was there for sinful reasons, thinking that the Schlegels allowed him to stay the night. He acknowledges the scandal of the situation that resulted in his violence, admitting he and Dolly will likely have to relocate. Despite Leonard's death, Charles does not seem sorry, and is pleased that Margaret will be out of his father's life.

Following Leonard Bast's death, everyone feels overwhelmed. An inquest is held, where it is agreed upon that heart disease was the main cause of death. After this traumatic experience, Helen is ready to depart for Germany once again. Margaret plans to go with her. Before departing, Mr. Wilcox summons her. She assumes that he wants to collect the keys to Howards End, and she goes to see him under that assumption.

Mr. Wilcox tells Margaret that Charles will be charged with manslaughter against Leonard Bast. He is genuinely upset by this development, but Margaret is still bitter over the recent events and shows no mercy. She is firm with him, even when he admits that he is broken. However, things quickly turn around. Charles is found guilty of manslaughter and is sentenced to three years in jail, which breaks Mr. Wilcox's spirit. He turns to Margaret as his sole source of comfort, and since Helen, too, is in need of support, Margaret looks after both her husband and her sister. She finds that her only option is to take them to Howards End. One year later, Helen has had a boy whom Tom, the milk boy, loves to play with. Helen and Mr. Wilcox have learned to get along, and the three adults live together in peace.

Mr. Wilcox gathers his children to inform them that he is going to leave Howards End to Margaret, who will in turn leave it to her nephew, Helen's illegitimate son. Margaret is called in to be present for this announcement, and Dolly, there in Charles's stead, foolishly makes a comment about Ruth Wilcox's wishes having been fulfilled. When Margaret asks her husband about the meaning of this remark, he is honest with her. She tells him that she is not upset, for all has come together, and Helen's child will grow up in the wonderful countryside.

Analysis

While pitiful, Leonard's death is poetic. He dies in the country rather than in the slums of London, and is ironically buried under books, which he spent his life cherishing in his quest for culture and intellect. Upon his arrival at Hilton, he notices how life is governed by nature rather than by the rush of the city. After living in such misery, being in the country is a comfort to him, despite the guilt that has led him there. Leonard remembers his conversation with Helen about how death can be a salvation for man.

Charles, though driven by anger, is extremely worried about his father. In this capacity, he notices that Margaret has had a surprising effect on the elder Mr. Wilcox that Charles almost envies. Here, Charles is revealed the most as a sympathetic character. He slightly regrets that his father has found someone to help him connect with non-practical aspects of life, and laments that nobody ever taught him the importance of saying "I," a topic that Helen discussed with Leonard before their intimacy.

As Margaret thinks about what will happen when she leaves Mr. Wilcox, she envisions his future and imagines how he will move and move until he dies. Mr. Wilcox is finally able to ground his life with Margaret at Howards End, but only after his spirit is broken.

Howards End is a novel about connecting, and by the final chapter's close, many connections are drawn. Throughout Howards End, Forster stresses the greyness of daily life, the importance of "I" statements and expressing feeling, and celebrates the inner life. The end of the novel seems to acknowledge that while life takes unexpected turns, when people and ideas are brought together, they must learn to live with each other. This final statement appears to mirror aspects of English and German conflicting cultures of the time. Although the cultures conflict with one another, they must both inhabit the Earth and learn to live in harmony. Margaret tells her sister that everybody must embrace each other's differences. She proves to be right, as she, Mr. Wilcox, and Helen are able to achieve happiness and find value in each other despite all odds. Helen remarks that to end up at Howards End must have been Margaret's plan all along, but it is really Mrs. Wilcox's spirit that is finally lingering, for the intention was originally hers.

The final action of Howards End seems to demonstrate the importance of connection. Those who are unable or unwilling to connect to their worlds in a meaningful way suffer. Charles refused to develop or allow for any kind of relationship with the Schlegel sisters, and Leonard Bast is unable to accept or connect with the realities of his meager existence. Similarly, Mr. Wilcox fights hard against embracing Margaret's approach to life. In contrast, Helen and Margaret work to find and develop connections with everything around them. They accept and embrace people with lives different from their own (Leonard Bast for Helen and Mr. Wilcox for Margaret), and cherish their connections between each other and their home. The characters that are able to understand the importance of interpersonal, physical, and emotional connections, namely Margaret, Helen, and a broken Mr. Wilcox, survive and thrive in Howards End. Mr. Wilcox's choice to leave Howards End to Margaret and then to Helen's son demonstrates that the Schlegel inner life has finally merged with the Wilcox outer life. Howards End symbolizes this unification, which was originally foreshadowed in the description of Mrs. Wilcox's romantic existence in the otherwise highly practical household. Forster's final message appears to be that one cannot live an entirely external or internal life. The ideal existence is a merging of the two. Thus, to embrace the entirety of life, one must "only connect."

• Biography of E.M. Forster
• About Howards End
• Character List
• Major Themes
• Glossary of Terms
• Short Summary
• Full Summary and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 1-4
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 5-7
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 8-11
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 12-15
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 16-19
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 20-24
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 25-29
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 30-35
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 36-40
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters 41-44
• Related Links on Howards End
• Suggested Essay Questions
• The Bloomsbury Group
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources
• Purchase Howards End and Other Works
• Test Yourself! Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! Quiz 4
• Essays on Howards End
• E-Text
• Message Board on Howards End